# NTSB LAX03LA095: Aerostar RX-7, N6413N, Reno, NV, February 22, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 22, 2003, 08:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.666667, -119.866668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6667&lon=-119.8667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 1, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56530 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA095 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56530/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA095 ## Probable cause A sudden wind shift that forced the balloon to drift towards an obstruction, and the pilot's inability to perform an evasive maneuver in sufficient time to prevent a collision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, approach - weather condition - sudden windshift - evasive maneuver - not successful, pilot in command (cause) - object - wire,transmission ## Analysis The balloon collided with power lines while descending toward a landing spot. The pilot was crossing a north-south ridgeline while approaching a landing spot in a meadow. The balloon flew over the descending slope and cleared a set of power lines that ran parallel to the ridgeline. A sudden wind shift occurred, blowing the balloon back towards the power lines. The pilot turned on the burner in an attempt to clear the power lines again, however, sufficient lift was not achieved. Realizing that a collision was inevitable, the burner and tanks were shut off and instruments disconnected. After the initial impact the balloon continued rising, and the pilot pulled the 'rip-cord' attached to the deflation port. A rapid decent followed, and the balloon came to rest directly under the power lines. ## Factual narrative On February 22, 2003, at 0800 Pacific standard time, an Aerostar RX-7 balloon, N6413N, collided with power lines while maneuvering to land in a meadow northwest of Reno, Nevada. The balloon was owned and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and two passengers were not injured; the balloon sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight that departed from a nearby field at 0715. No flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated that he was crossing a north-south ridgeline while approaching a landing spot in a meadow. The balloon flew over the descending slope and cleared a set of power lines that ran parallel to the ridgeline. A sudden wind shift occurred, blowing the balloon back towards the power lines. The pilot turned on the burner in an attempt to clear the power lines again, however, sufficient lift was not achieved. Realizing that a collision was inevitable, the burner and tanks were shut off and instruments disconnected. After the initial impact the balloon continued rising, and the pilot pulled the 'rip-cord' attached to the deflation port. A rapid decent followed, and the balloon came to rest directly under the power lines. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6413N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6413N), registered now, S/N RX7-3039 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aerostar RX-7 - Registry model: [Aerostar International RX-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerostar-international-rx-7) (registry code 7487007) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Balloon - Serial number: RX7-3039 - Airframe hours: 355 - Engines: Aero Engines HP25-3029 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeffrey D. Haliczer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 2002, 20 hours before - Departed: Reno, NV ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; last flight review October 24, 2002; flight hours: 83 total, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 30 °F, dew point -29 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KRNO, 11 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030222002109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030222002109A), Feb 22, 2003: Raven RX7, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. (.19) On February 22, 2003, at 0851 pacific standard time, an Aerostar RX-7 balloon, N6413N, collided with a power line while maneuvering to land in a meadow… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.